It is hard for a rivalry to maintain its mythical importance when the clubs meet in mid-July for a friendly that is primarily about boosting the bank balance.
Yet for Liverpool and Manchester United, who face each other in Bangkok this afternoon, or Real Madrid and Barcelona, who will meet in Las Vegas on July 23, diluting tradition and history is evidently a worthwhile trade off for the commercial benefit of a globetrotting tour.
“We see it as an important test because it's against United - and we don't play friendlies,” Jurgen Klopp said before today’s game. While the excitement for supporters unable to see their team weekly should not be overlooked, it was hard to fully buy into the Liverpool manager’s claim.
